Members of the Windsor police Emergency Services Unit (ESU) keep watch over 692 Capitol St. in a standoff situation on April 18, 2019.

Nick Brancaccio / Windsor Star

The standoff that happened on Capitol Street last week began with a transaction that went badly, according to Windsor police.Members of the tactical team (Emergency Services Unit) contained a home in the 600 block of Capitol Street for more than six hours on April 18 — eventually arresting Michael Allard, an individual known to police.Investigators have now revealed that the incident began when a man went to the home to purchase an item that had been advertised for sale on social media.The man told police he met with the accused and bought the item — only to discover that the item was defective.When the man tried to return the item and get his money back, the resident allegedly struck him with a pole.The victim was taken to hospital for treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening.Meanwhile, police identified the suspect. Officers could see him inside the house.ESU members set up outside the residence and ordered the suspect to come out.After the suspect refused, a warrant was obtained to enter the home.Officers executed the warrant around 5:50 p.m. and arrested the suspect without further incident.A search of the residence turned up a prohibited weapon.Michael Allard, 35, of Windsor, faces charges of assault with a weapon and possession of a prohibited weapon.Related
Allard’s long list of previous convictions include aggravated assault, robbery, dangerous driving, and drug offences.In June 2013, during a robbery, Allard punched a man in the face, resulting in the victim’s head striking the ground.The victim suffered a critical brain injury and spent four days in a coma.Allard was sentenced to three years in prison.At the time of the incident, Allard had just been released after serving a prison sentence for a violent robbery in 2010.Prior to last week’s standoff, Allard was arrested in the same neighbourhood in May 2018 in relation to fentanyl powder.Anyone with information can call investigators at 519-255-6700 ext. 4830.Anonymous tips can be made via Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477 or www.catchcrooks.com.Windsor police remind the public that meetings with strangers for personal transactions are best conducted in a public place, for safety reasons.dchen@postmedia.com